LLlime Inc. is considering a new product launch. The project will cost $2,000,000, have a ten-year life, and have no salvage value; depreciation is straight-line to zero. Sales are projected at 30,000 units per year; price per unit will be $150, variable costs per unit will be $80, and fixed costs will be $600,000 per year. The required return on the project is 15 percent, and the tax rate is 0% (i.e., ignore taxes).
a. What is the accounting break-even level of output for this project?
b. Find the firm's operating cash flow (OCF) if the firm just breaks-even on an accounting basis (that is, at Q = accounting break-even level).
c. How many units, at a minimum, must LLlime sell before the project's OCF becomes negative?
d. How many units, at a minimum, must LLlime sell before the project's NPV becomes negative?
e. What if the marketing department of LLlime reports the annual expected sales of 13,000 units? Should LLlime accept this project? Why? Calculate NPV and IRR at this sales level of 13,000 units.